Open Daily:
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Current Time:
7:53 AM
Directions:
727 W Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 561-6100
[email protected]
×
Open Daily:
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Current Time:
7:53 AM
Directions:
727 W Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 561-6100
[email protected]
Kentucky Science Center is open 7 days a week from 9:30AM-5PM. Tickets can be purchased online.

Classes

Classes

Classes

Classes at Kentucky Science Center are inquiry-based explorations, designed to hone critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Student teams will ask questions, define problems, determine their investigation, gather and analyze data, and form and defend conclusions. Standard classes are 45 minutes; more in-depth premium classes are 90 minutes.

To book your field trip, click here.

Pre-K to Grade 12
  • Duration
    Standard: 45 Minutes
    Premium: 90 Minutes
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Environmental Design

*NEW* Work together to create a system that will remediate and restore a coastal ecosystem following an oil spill.
Details  

What happens when an ocean liner crashes and pollutes the ocean with oil? Keeping in mind the movement of matter between animals and their environment, develop a model to explain how water can be cleaned using different methods with minimal human impact on an ecosystem.

Students will:

  • engage in questioning to understand the relationship between the ocean and other ecosystems.
  • identify problems that arise from human activity in ocean systems
  • develop a model that mimics and tests the efficacy of current water cleaning methods
  • construct arguments supporting the notion that organisms rely on clean water systems for survival
  • gather data regarding the human impact and develop techniques to reduce that impact

Kentucky Academic Standards:

K-2 3-5 Middle High
Science ETS1, LS2, ESS2, ESS3 ETS1, LS2, ESS2, ESS3 ETS1, LS2, ESS2,ESS3 ETS1, LS2, ESS2,ESS3
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Shapes & Stuff

Turn shopping into a learning experience that sets important foundational skills in math and science as well as learning and reading.
Details  

Turn shopping into a learning experience that sets important foundational skills in all curriculum areas, from math and science to language and reading. Using carefully designed shopping lists; young “shoppers” will explore concepts such as same and different, sorting, categorizing, counting, comparing, and organizing.

Students participating in Shapes & Stuff will:

  • develop questions about what shapes build our world
  • identify, sort, classify, and organize shapes and colors based on their characteristics.
  • collaborate in teams to develop a creation out of shapes

 

Kentucky Academic Standards:

KECS Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade
ELA 2.1,2.2
Science 1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,1.5 K-2-ETS1-2 K-2-ETS1-2 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-3
Math 1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4 MP.2, MP.4, MP.5
Health and PE 1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,1.5
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Organisms and Ecosystems

Students develop a model for how adding a playground in a park could have minimal human impact on an ecosystem.
Details  

What happens when a playground is built in a park? Keeping in mind the movement of matter between animals and their environment, develop a model explaining how a playground could be designed to have minimal human impact on an ecosystem. Students will need to clearly argue their solution, using evidence from investigations.

Students will:

  • engage in questioning in order to understand the relationship between organisms within a park environment
  • identify problems that arise from human influence in park ecosystems
  • develop a model that mimics the function of an animal dispersing seeds
  • construct arguments supporting the notion that organisms are adapted to their specific environment
  • gather data regarding human impact and develop systems to reduce that impact

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: Pre-K – 5th

 

5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA RI.5.7 RST.6-8.7 WHST.6-8.2 WHST.6-8.7 WHST.9-12.2, WHST.9-12.9
Science 5-LS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-2 6-LS2-1, 6-LS2-3 7-LS1-6 8-ESS3-3 HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-4
Math MP.2, MP.5 6.EE.C.9 6.EE.C.9 7.EE.B.4 MP.2
Social Studies 2.19 2.19 2.19 2.19 2.19

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: 6th – 12th

 

5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA RI.5.7 RST.6-8.7 WHST.6-8.2 WHST.6-8.7 WHST.9-12.2, WHST.9-12.9
Science 5-LS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-2 6-LS2-1, 6-LS2-3 7-LS1-6 8-ESS3-3 HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-4
Math MP.2, MP.5 6.EE.C.9 6.EE.C.9 7.EE.B.4 MP.2
Social Studies 2.19 2.19 2.19 2.19 2.19
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Energy In Motion

Students generate and evaluate possible options for renewable energy in Kentucky based on its unique criteria and constraints.
Details  

How can Kentucky incorporate types of renewable energy? Generate and compare multiple possible options for renewable energy in Kentucky based on given criteria and constraints. Ask questions to determine if electric and magnetic forces that power turbine technology are effective alternatives to conventional methods.

Students will:

  • ask questions, make observations, and gather information about renewable energy in Kentucky
  • develop a new or improve electricity-generating device
  • obtain and evaluate information to describe how energy and fuel are derived from natural resources and how their use affects the environment
  • analyze data to determine how the push and pull of forces could increase turbine output
  • develop a simple model of a turbine in order to illustrate how the shape of the blades increases or decreases its rotations per minute

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: Pre-K – 5th

 

KECS Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Middle School
ELA 1.2, 2.1 SL.K.5 SL.2.5 W.2.8 RI.3.3 W.4.7, W.4.8 RI.5.7, W.5.8 WHST.6-8.7
Science 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 K-PS2-2 K-2-ETS1-2 K-2-ETS1-1 3-PS2-4 4-PS3-4, 4-ESS3-1 3-5-ETS1-2 07-PS2-5
Math 2.MD.D.10 MP.5 MP.2, MP.4 MP.2, MP.5 MP.2
Social Studies 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: 6th – 12th

 

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA RST.6-8.3 WHST.6-8.7 RST.6-8.9 WHST.9-12.7
Science 06-PS2-1 07-PS2-5, MS-ETS1-2 MS-ETS1-3 HS-PS2-3
Math MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.4
Social Studies 2.16 2.16 2.16 2.16
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Our Dynamic Earth

Students explore how different earth systems like weather, climate, and other phenomena support life and change our landscape over time.
Details  

How do different earth systems interact to create a balanced planet that supports life? How do weather, climate, and earth processes change our landscape? What evidence do we have that Earth has changed over time? Students explore these phenomena and brainstorm different solutions to the damaging effects that often happen when earth systems react. This program is presented in partnership with WLKY.

Students participating in Our Dynamic Earth will:

  • ask questions, make observations, and gather data about the effects of earth processes and the importance of weather forecasting as it relates to farms and cities
  • use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time and provide evidence of the effects of weathering and erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation
  • develop a model in order to describe ways in which the geosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact
  • generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce impacts of natural Earth processes, like wind and weather, on humans
  • make a claim about the merit of your design solution and its ability to reduce the impact of weather-related hazards on either a city structure or a country farm

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: Pre-K – 5th

 

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
ELA SL.K.3 W.2.8 RI.2.3 W.3.7 W.4.7 SL.5.5
Science K-ESS2-1, K-ESS3-2 K-2-ETS1-1 2-ESS2-1 3-ESS3-1 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS3-2 5-ESS2-1
Math MP.4 MP.2 MP.2 MP.4 MP.2, MP.4
Social Studies 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: 6th – 12th

 

5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA SL.5.5 WHST.6-8.9 RST.6-8.1 RST.6-8.7 WHST.9-12.7
Science 5-ESS2-1 06-ESS2-1 MS-ETS1-1 8-ESS3-2 HS-ESS2-5, HS-ETS1-3
Math MP.2, MP.4 MP.2 MP.4
Social Studies 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19 2.18, 2.19
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Transformation of Matter

Students will investigate and observe different materials to determine which substances will result in a biodegradable material.
Details  

As we keep adding to landfills, scientists are testing new types of materials that are biodegradable. Students will test biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials to determine their characteristics, and then conduct investigations and make observations in order to determine whether or not mixing substances will result in a biodegradable material.

Students participating in Transformation of Matter will:

  • ask questions, make observations, and gather information about the structure and properties of matter
  • define the problem: how do we reduce the amount of materials in a landfill?
  • plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify materials based on their properties
  • plan and execute material testing, with controlled variables, in order to identify aspects of a prototype to determine if it fits the criteria and constraints of a biodegradable material

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: Pre-K – 5th

 

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
ELA W.2.6 W.2.6 W.2.7 W.5.8 W.5.8 W.5.8
Science K-2-ETS1-1 K-2-ETS1-1 2-PS1-1 3-5-ETS1-3 3-5-ETS1-3 5-PS1-4
Math MP.4 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2
Social Studies 2.18 2.18 2.18 2.18 2.18 2.18

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: 6th – 12th

 

5th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA W.5.8 W.5.8 RST.6-8.7 RST.6-8.1 RST.6-8.1 WHST.9-12.2
Science 5-PS1-4 5-PS1-4 06-PS1-1 07-PS1-2 MS-ETS1-2 HS-ESS3-4
Math MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2
Social Studies 2.18 2.18 2.18 2.18 2.18 2.18
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Our Universe

Students will work discover the fundamental role that gravity plays in defining the complex motions of our solar system
Details  

How do astronauts on the International Space Station investigate nearby planets and asteroids? What will it take to get a satellite into orbit? Guided by a Science Center educator, students work through these questions, discovering the fundamental role gravity plays in defining the complex motions of our solar system.

Students participating in Our Universe will:

  • analyze data to support the argument that gravitational force is being directed “down”
  • develop a model describing the role of gravity in the solar system
  • evaluate satellite designs and determine how well those designs meet the criteria and constraints of a planet’s gravitational pull
  • consider current technologies used in satellite design and argue from evidence the merit of their group model design

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: Pre-K – 5th

 

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade
ELA W.2.8 W.1.8 RI.5.7 RI.5.7 RI.5.7 RI.5.9 SL.8.5
Science K-2-ETS1-2 1-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-2 3-5-ETS1-1 3-5-ETS1-1 3-5-ETS1-1 5-PS2-1 06-ESS1-2
Math MP.5 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.4 MP.4
Social Studies 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: 6th – 12th

 

5TH Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA RI.5.9 SL.8.5 WHST.6-8.9 WHST.6-8.9
Science 5-PS2-1 6-ESS1-2 MS-ETS1-2 MS-ETS1-2 HS-ESS1-4
Math MP.4 MP.4 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2
Social Studies 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20 2.19, 2.20
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Maker STEAM

Utilize our new makerspace which will allow your students to tinker, invent and explore concepts like circuitry, animation, art, and coding. Students will collaborate with their peers and complete engineering design challenges.
Details  

Utilize our new makerspace which will allow your students to tinker, invent and explore concepts like circuitry, animation, art, and coding. Students will collaborate with their peers and complete engineering design challenges.

Students participating in Maker STEAM will:

  • work with hands on tools to discover connections between circuitry and manufacturing design
  • plan and execute material testing, with controlled variables, in order to create a working model
  • design and build an interdisciplinary takeaway for your students
  • consider current technologies used in makerspaces and try to create a blueprint for an improved design

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: Pre-K – 5th

 

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade
ELA W.2.8 W.2.8 W.2.8 W.5.8 W.5.8 W.5.8 WHST.6-8.7
Science K-2ETS1-1 K-2ETS1-1 K-2ETS1-1 K-2ETS1-1 K-2ETS1-1 K-2ETS1-1 MS-ETS1-1
Math MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2
Technology 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2

 

Kentucky Academic Standards: 6th – 12th

 

5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade High School
ELA W.5.8 WHST.6-8.7 WHST.6-8.7 RST.11-12.9
Science 3-5-ETS1-1 MS-ETS1-1 MS-ETS1-1 MS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2
Math MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2 MP.2
Technology 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2
STANDARD OR PREMIUM

Design Your Own Class

Work one-on-one with an educator to develop a hands-on curriculum that meets your learners’ specific needs.
Details  

Don’t see the class you need? Design your own! Work one-on-one with our educators to develop a hands-on curriculum that meets your learners’ specific needs.

Examples of DYO topics: the science of sound, spectroscopy, brain dissection, and more! All topics will be considered, but we cannot guarantee the ability to facilitate the request. Certain requests may require an additional fee.

 

Kentucky Academic Standards:

 

K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade Middle School High School
Science K-2-ETS1 3-5-ETS1 MS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2